Best portable smoker - e.g. WSM or ProQ Excel 20

[SR-71 Blackbird]

Hi guys,

I wanted to get everyones opinion on the best smoker that can be portable. Now when I say portable I need it to fit into the boot of my car, and I have a big boot as I fit this baby in http://www.barrel-barbecue.co.uk/deluxe ... rbecue.htm with no trouble. Just to be clear, I think something that just stacks on top of itself would be what I am looking for, and NOT this style for example http://www.forfoodsmokers.co.uk/acatalo ... moker.html

I have been looking at the Weber Smokey mountain (big version) and it looks great but I was wondering what others thought of the other large Smoke contenders.


Again please comment if you have or have seen a large stacked smoker and have an opinion on its performance, ease of use/cleaning, cost and anything else that's relevant.


Thanks guys

[SR-71 Blackbird]

Ive done some research and I only want the biggest I can fit in my car as you can always cook a small amount on a large smoker but never a large amount on a small smoker so I think ive got two possible choices at the moment.

Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5 inch diameter version - c£450 , 726 sq inches smoking area

ProQ Excel 20 - c£260, 608 square inches smoking area, temperature eyelets for measuring the temperature at different levels, extra stacker levels available at £67 each , they lock together for stability and they have handles for carrying,
larger water pan at the bottom then the Weber but not as much smoking area as it has a smaller diameter.


What do you guys think? Lets have a pro and con for both, anyone have one of these and can comment on what its like to live with and transport?

Thanks guys as always

[SR-71 Blackbird]

I found exactly what I was looking for, a nice relatively fair comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8UFWM31M_U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbTN3Cu4 ... re=related

They didn't talk about the price difference I noted which is a big factor no doubt.

[British BBQ Society]

If you search around the forum this has been discussed a couple of times. Most dealers are discounting the WSM including www.socal.co.uk who offer a discount if you say you are part of the British BBQ Society

[SR-71 Blackbird]

Thanks, Thats a much better price then I have seen before. Ok I will do some searching to see what others have said before

Thanks

[cutcookeat]

Oh ya, I just spent £250 on last years model so what can you leak abou the new one?

[JEC]

BTW Weber is bringing out a new WSM very soon.

Is this in addition to the 14.5" WSM that is being rumoured Big Al? If it is my money is on it having handles, holes for temperature probes and maybe even clips to hold the sections together

[British BBQ Society]

hopefully the holes will be big enough for the probes! Got fed up crimping them for the excel.

[SR-71 Blackbird]

Thanks Doc,

It's great to hear your opinion of both and I am really swaying towards the Excel 20 at the moment. Apart from the WSM and the Excel 20 are there any other models/brands that anyone can suggest and can you buy stacker sections for the WSM like you can for the Excel 20?

Thanks guys

[keith157]

Hi SR.., just tried your picture links, I don't think you are "cutting and pasting" correctly . Sorry that's the only practical contribution I can make to this, my first smoker is on it's way (hopefully) and It's a used Excel at a good price . I chose this because of cost and practicality having had a good look at both at Rudgewick (Thanks again for the time Tim). Probably The only time I will use both stackers will be at our annual Sausage Sizzle and Chicken Crisper (a BBQ for family and friends) but the option of having the extra space can't be ignored. In my inexpert opinion both are good quality items for their respective prices, although I do feel that with the Weber you are buying a brand name, a GOOD brand name but still paying for the name.